Thermo-valve



e. p. HOFFMAN.

THERMO VALVE.

APPLICATION m rn SEPT-2. 191s.

Patentmi 38m. 14,1929.

' bodied in other .the outlet portion :with a' chember iEoneE D. HOFFMAN, or rasannne, onmronnm, ASSIGNOR. To norm/ran \GOMPANY, or CHIGAGOHILLINOISQA CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

THEEMO-VALVE.

continuation of application filed Jun 28, 1.915, Serial No. 36.859.

' 191s. serial No. 118,300.

Tool! whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonsn D. HOFFMAN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at that is, valves that are opened and closedv automatically by dynamic element.

The invention as shown by the accompanying drawings is embodied in a form the operation of a thermothat adapts it particularly for use in con nection with the return pipes 'of steam- ,heated radiators, but it will be understood that theinvention is capable of being eniforms and of use for other purposes.

The particular embodiment of the invention is a carrying forward of and improvement -on the device illustrated in m rior application filed June 28, 1915, Serial l uinber 36,859 entitled Steam trap for radiators. As to all matter common to this and the earlier application, the present is a continuation of said earlier application, and claims to the common subject matterare made in this application. I

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a' sectional view of.

the casing of such valve, the thermodynamic unit thereof being shown in elevation in cooperative relation to thecasing.

Fig. 2 represents a cross section through the thermodynamic unit, in a plane indicated by line rc-w of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 represents a vertical section, on a. larger scale, through the thermodynamic unit, the bottompart of the holder therefor being represented by broken lines.

barrel-shaped cage or holder for the thermoglynamic unit. iflhe same reference characters indicate [the same parts wherever they occur.

YA casing of suitable form is indicated at 1.0. It is formed withapassageway the inlet portion of which is indicated at 11 and 12. The inletnortion is in communication L I 13, and communication-between said chamber and the outlet portion Specification of Letters Patent.

be coupled to Mom of the same. Said ribs extend parallel of which is indicated-at srncrnr'rr 12 is through a valve seat 14;. When the device is to be used for the specific purpose stated the inlet portion of the'casing would be coupled to the return end of a steamheated radiator by any suitable means, such as a union 15, and fthe'outlet portion would a return pipe (not shown). For the purposes of illustration-the device is shownwith the axis of the casing extend ing vertically, and the device will he so described,'although it will be understood that the position of the casing is immaterial and will be determined to suit-the conditions that prevail. The upper end of the chamber 13 is open a'nd a detachable screw-cap 16 constitutes a closure therefor. Zlhe capand casing are provided with cooperative screw threads 17, and tile ca is provided with a polygonal head 18a apted to coact with a wrench. i L l The chamber 13 is formed to receive a removable unit that includes the. valveniember 20, a thermodynamic element, and a holder for -the latter. In the present instance the thermodynamic element is fiormed in three sections, that, so far as the fundamental principle is concerned, it may be limited to a single section or may have any desired number of sections. Each section of the thermodynamic element comprises two circular diaphragms 21 and 22 and a, cylindric wall 23. The holder for the thermodynamic element comprises a substantially cylindric guide member shown separately by F 4, and a cap 24. The guide member has numerous large openings that enable the ,steam'to-circulate through it and come in contact with the thermodynamic element. The lower end of the guide member is provided" witha,

sleeve portion 25 that surrounds thevalve .95 ,member 20 Fig, 4 represents an elevation of the to guide the movement of the latter. T Ribs 26 (see Fig. 2) are formed upon the. guide member by indenting portothe direction of movement of the valve loo member, and; their function is to keep the, sections'of, the thermodynamic element centereeLandto guide their movement. The

, cap 24 of the guide member is provided with j a fiange 27 adjoining its ri'in,,a;= "aid flangei'os' -f being adapted to receivethe vupper f the guide member: YfiQ T n ent means maybe provided for keeping the cap'and but it will be understood 80 i opposite each other, but the showing of one will sutlice. The guide member is preferably made of thin. sheet metal and pressed into the shape shown, the stud portion .29 being an integral portion struck up by a suitable tool. The guide ribs 26 are formed by indenting! the guide member, and I utilize thc groove 26 that is the counterpart of.

one of the ribs 26. to receive an indeited portion 301? the flange-27, to revent acci dental relative rotation of the" cap when it is applied as showh by Fig. 1. The indented portion 30 is arranged to register with the groove 26 when the cap has been turned to place the stud portions 29 in the locking portions oftheslots 28. y The thermodynamic element is permanently attached to the cap 24 by a nipple that extends through a hole in the center of the cap. This nipple cornprisesa relatively large middle portion 31 and end portions 32,

33, both of which are formed witliexternal. s 3t screw-threads to receive clamping a t..

and 35 respectivcly. End portion 32 e. tends through a center hole in the diaphragmQl of the upper section of the thermodynamic element, and said diaphragm is tightly clamped againstthe middle portion 31-of the nipple by nut 34. Cap 2% is likewise clamped against the said middle po-ition 31 by nut 35. The ends of the portions 32 and 33 are preferably headed over to prevent the nuts from working loose.

The several sections of the thermodynamic element are connected in a series by coupling members that include screw-threaded studs to all intents and purposes like the one that connects the upper section. with the cap24. Thus the lower diaphragm of one section, and the upper diaphragm of the section next below, are clamped against the relatively large i'niddle portion of the coupling stud by the nuts, and the latter are locked on by upsetting the ends of the coupling stud. The

joints between the diaphragms and coupling studs are made tight by solder. Each diaphragm has an annular flange 36 turned up r down. as the case may be, from its run,

and said flanges surround and fit closely upon the cylindric members 23. Each group of members 21, 22 and 23 forms an annular chamber 37 intended to contain a volatile liquid that will be converted into vapor at some predetermined degree of temperature. In order to make the chambers 37 tight so as to prevent the escape of such liquid or vapor. the flanges 36 arc soldered to the memhers 23. ll will be observed that the margiordinary atmospheric temperature.

.1 ,saaece nal. portions of the diaphragms bear against latter is arranged in a center hole inthe lowest diaphragm. This shank portion is provided with an external screw-thread to receive a clamping nut The. upper end of shank portion 38 is headed over to prevh'nt the nut from working loose, and the joint between the valve member and diaphragm is madet'rght by solder. i

In order to facilitate the introduction of volatile liquid into the several chambers 37 the several coupling nipples are termed with longitudinal passages t0 which provide communication betweensaid chambers.- It is thus possible to assemble and couplethe de I sired number-of sections prior to introducing the volatile llqllltl, and. to fill all said sections with such liquid at one operation.

When the thermodynamic element isreacly to receive the volatile liquid 1 proceed as follows. l1 immerse the thermodynamic element, or at least the nipple that extends through cap 24-, in the volatile liquid... said nipple being then open to' receive. such liquid. I then distend the several diaphragins by pulling the valve member 20 in. one direction and the nipple at the opposite end of the device in the opposite direction. This enlarges the several chambers 37, whereby liquid is sucked into said chambers.

is their normal condition. They are preferably corrugated, the corrugations thereof being annular to afford the maximum-degree .otliexibility. The diaphragms are made of extremely thin metal, much. thinner than the proportion shown by Fig. 3. The tact that the aggregate area of the internal space .is

divided into a pluralityoif relatively small.

chambers 3'4" permits the use of extremely thin metal for the diaphragms' and the latter may therefore be more sensitve in re spending to variations in pressure than they would be if the nternal area were in the term of a single chamber having but two diaphragms.

The operation of filling the chambers 37 with volatile liquid may be performed in When the chambers have been filled 1 seal the outer end or the inlet nipple by putting a drop of solder 41 therein. 1 then heat the device to the temperature at which the volatile liquid turns to vapor, and in the course of such heating the diaphragms become distended in consequence of the internal pressure in the chambers. While the device is at the temperature at which the liquid turns to vapor melt the plug 41 of solder, whereupon the vapor in the chambers 37 is expelled until I the internal pressure drops to the pressure of the atmosphere. Then while the device is still at the temperature stated I again seal up the receiving end of the upper nipple by putting another drop of solder therein as indicated at 41, the diaphragms having resumed their normal dished or collapsed con-.

dition as shown by F ig. 3

1 The device is now ready for use, and, after assembling the thermodynamic element and the cylindric guide member in the relation r shoulder 43 that adjoins seat 42, and the valve member 20 is centered by the sleeve 25 of-the holder. It Order to keep the holderfirmly on its seat 42 and at the same time to avoid the necessity of extreme accuracy in the proportions of the screw-cap 16, I inter-pose a yielding elementbetween the surface 44 of the latter and the confronting surface of the cap 24. Thev preferred form of such yielding element a leafspring 245. In order to avoid theinconvenience of having to handle the 'sprmg separately, and the liability of losing the same, I-prefer to attach it permanently to the removable'unit,

and accordingly I have shown it as being clamped between the cap 24 and. the clamp .ing nut 35that bears against the latter. The

middle portion of the spring is formed with a. hole, and the "upper end of the-upper coupling nipple extends through such ho1e. Thus when the removable unit is placed in the casing '10 asoshownb Fig. 1, fandthe screw-cap lfi is screwed down, thefsurface 44-. of said cap bears ngainst the free ends of the spring arms 45 the latter are slightly flexed downwardly the-cap before the lat ter reaches the limit of its downward move- In case the thermal element should continue to expand after the valve has become seated, as' frequently happens, this spring will yield and permit the entire holder ancl thermal element to move away from the bottom of the casing, whereby the valve and seat are relieved of excessive presperature at which it turns'to-vapor, the ex- ;thermodynamic element is movable bodily,

sure and straining of other parts of the unit is avoided. 1 I

When the device is attached to the re turn pipe of a steam-heated radiator, it operates as follows. In its normal condition the thermodynamic element is 001- lapsed as shown by Fig. 3, and the valve member 20 is held away from its seat. I When steam is admitted't'o the radiator (not shown) the water of condensation that has presumably accumulated in the radiator is blown through coupling 15 into the casin 10, and passes out through the outlet 12. ny air that nay be in the radiator is likewise blown'out. When the steam, after having passed through the radiator, reaches the casing 10, itcomes in-' contact with the diaphragms and othermembers of'the thermodynamic element, the openings in the holder affording free circulation of the steam there.- through for the purpose stated. -As the temperature of the thermodynamic element rises, theovolatile liquid therein expands, at first slightly, but when it exceeds the temending action becomes relatively. rapid.- alve member 20. is thus moved toward its seat by the cumulative .distending action of allthe diaphragms. Each section of the excepting that the middle portion of the top diaphragm 21 remains substantially stationary. The middle portion 31 of the topcoupling nipple serves as the primary abutment against, which the series of diaphragms act. although as between the sections otthe unit the intermediate couplings afiordthe abut: ments against which-the intermediate diaphragms act to increase the distance .ber .tween he sections} j. Wh1Ch 1n the present instance has two arms l The valve member 20 is forced against its .seat with considerable pressure, and if it should stick to thefseat when the temperature of the device calls for an o enpassageway through the casing it wil be: pulled from its seat by the contractile action of the collapsible sections. Inasmuch. as the-valve reaches its seat before the expanding action of'thevapor hasspent itself, the cylindric' members 23 of the collapsible sections are called upon to sustain considerable stress. It isfon this reason that the ends of the members 23 are arran ed in contact with-the marginal portions 0 the diaphragms, for if there were Ito-contact at such points the relatively great stress would have to be sustained entirely by the so ider used to Connect the flanges, 36 witli the members-23, and unvalve'.'close. When the device is used in conj at approxnn conditions nection with a steam-heated radiator operat. ing on the low pressin s, or vacuum, system, it is desirabl e-"to use :r'liquid that vaporizes ately 190 F., and to meet such a mixture of Water and alcohol of approximately the followingproportions, namely, three parts Water and'one part al cohol, is satisfactory.

By reason otthe characteristics ,hereinbe- -fore described the thernio valve is highly efiicient in operation and exceedingly sensitive, and I find that it/iv'ill operate upon a dilierence of temperature of no more than one or two degrees; that is, after the temperature has risen in the trap to the. point .Which causes closing of the valve, adrop of temperature of the water of one degree, is usually enough to cause the valve to open. The practical result is that when applied to heating systems operating under substantially constantli temperature and pressure, the valve will reach a osition of egiuilibrium'wherein it is opened just enough to permit escape of the water as fast as,'it oollects in the passage in the casing. Brit apart from'the scientific accuracy and etficiency of the device, a feature \Vl1lCl'l, 'fIY 0m the practical point of view is of the utmost impprtapce, is that the entire unit, consisting o the expansible. thermal elements, valve, aii-cl' 'holder or guide member can be farnished to users separately and any one of these units is interchangeable with any other. Thus in case a unit in use should wear out and fail, or become accidentally damaged, the owner of the establishment in which it is installed need only purchase a new unit and substitute it for the old one with no more effort than is required to removethe ca 16 and replace the cap after having substituted the new unit. Theservices of a skilled workman for this purpose I are not needed. The fact that the thermal unit is not mechanically connected with any part of the casing is i'urther of advantage in that it permits newly installed heating systems to be tested for leaks by application of high pressure steam 'or water, and permits the entire system to be iiushedout to remove chips and other foreign matter. This advantage arisesfrom the fact that the thermal valve units may be removed and the caps 16 applied to'all of the valve or trap casings in the system, wherefore the absence oi the valve unit leaves all outlets wide open to permit steam or water at any temperature'and pressure to pass freely.

- through them,

" ranged in said chamber-and comprising a thermodynamic element, aholder therefor,

and a valve member coupled to said' ele- Leas es i ""sure for said opening, and means arranged aid holder having a portion arranged I f to guide said valve member, said chamber having an opening for the removal of said unit,'a closure for said opening, and means arranged to fix the position of said holder 70 thermodynamic element, a holder there or,

and a valve member coupled to d element, 1 said valve member and a portion of said element being movable relatively to said holder, said holder having guiding portionsso arranged to engage said valve member and said element respectively to guide s'uch relative movement, said chamber having an opening for the removal of said unit, a do to fix the position ot said holder relativcly to said, va ve-seat.

3. A device of the character dcscribedcomprising a casing having a chamber and a valve-seat therein, a removable unit 'arranged insaid chamber and comprising a thermodynamic element, a two-piece holder therefor including a barrel and a cap, and a valve member coupled to said element, said element being fastened to said cap, said bar- '95 rel having a guiding portion arranged to guide said valve member, said chamber having an opening for the-removal of said unit,

a closure for said opening, and means ary rangedto fix the position oi said holder relatively to said valve-seat. 7

t. A device oi the character described comprising a casing having a chamber and a valve-seat therein, a. removable unit 'arranged in said chamber, said unit comprising a plurality of thermodynamic sections coupled in series, a holder for said sections, and a valve member coupled to one of said sections at one end of said series, the one of? said sections at the other end of said series being coupled to said holder, said holder having guiding portions arranged to guide said valve member'and said-sections, respectively, said chamber having an opening for the removal of said unit, a closure for said opening, and means. arranged to iix the position of said holder lrelatively to said valve-seat.

5. A device of the character described comprising a casing having a chamber and a valve-seat therein, a removable nnit arranged in said chamber, said unit compris ing a plurality of thermodynamic sections coupled in series, a holder for said sections and 'a valve member coupled to onelo'f sai sections at one end of said series, the'one of Stlldf sections at the other. end of said: series being}; coupled to saidholder, said holder having .a' plurality of ribs arrangedj to engage and guide said sections, said chain- I said. unit; aclosure for berhaving an opening for the ren-ioval oi i I a-id'fopening,"and means arrai'igedto tix'the position dt'said holder relatively to saidvalve-seat.

(LA device of the character described comprising a casing having a? chamber and a'valve-seat therein. a removable unit arranged in said chamberand comprising a plurality of: thermodynamic sections, a holder therefor? and a valve member, said chamber having an opening for-the removal of said unit, a closure for said opening, and meansarranged to fix the position of "aid holder relatively to said valve-seat, said thermodynamicsections being arranged ina series and each of them having two confronting diaphragms, rigid coupling devices connecting said sections one with another,

, each of said coupling devices being arranged to connect the contiguous diaphragms of two contiguous sections, said valve member being carried by the diaphragm at one end of said series, said holder having guiding portions arranged to engage said valve member and said sections respectively, to guide them relatively to said valve seat.

7. A device of the character described comprising a casing having a chamber and a valve-seat therein. a removable unit ar-. ranged in said chamber, said chamber having an opening for the removal of said unit. a closure for said opening, said casing and closure having cooperative connecting screw-tln'eznls, said remov: ble unit comprising a thermodynamic element, a holder therefor, and a 'alve member, a portion of Said casing being formed and arranged to center one end of said holder relatively to said valve-scat, a portion of said holder being formed and arranged to center said valve member'and to guide the movement thereof, and said closure having an internal surface tormed and arranged to center the other endot' said holder.

8.'i-\ thermodynamic unit comprising a plurallty'ot' thernnulynannc sections arranged in a series, means connectingsaid sections one with another to accumulate the movement of all of them. a valve member carried by one ot said sections at one end of said series. and a holder comprising a barrel and a cap therefor, said sections being arranged in said barrel,- a portion of said barrel being formed and arranged to guide said valve member.

' S). A thermodynamio unit comprising a. plurality of thermodynamic sections arranged in a series, means connecting said sections one with another to accumulate the movement of all of .them, a valve. member carried by one of said sections at one end of said series, a holder comprising a barrel and a cap therefor, said sections being arranged in said barrel, :1 portion of said barrel being formed and arranged to guide said valve member. and a spring fastened to the outside "ot' said cap. sa d barrel and cap having co- (nierative portions for holding thenr connected.

1H. A ther'mo valve comprising a casing having 'a valve seat, surrounding the axis of said valve seat, and a removable cap or end closure in combinationvwith a. unit consisting of a holdei 'a'dapted to enter said casing and rest on said shoulder, a valvein said holder so arranged as to enact with said valve seat wh'e'n'the holder is thus placed, and a series (it-thermal an annular sln'nilderf cl'i'am'bers expansible by heat arranged to press said valve toward said seat and to re"- act againstthe holder and transmit pressure through one another.

shoulder, a alive in said holder so'arranged as to coact with 'said valve seat when the holder is thus placed. and a series of thermal chambers cxpansible by heat arranged to press said valve toward said seat and to react against the holder and transmit pressure through one another. and a spring bej tween the casing cap and said holder pressing'the latter and the valve toward the valve seat. and being adapted to yield when said thermal elementscontinue to expand after seating ot' the valve.

12. A thermodynamic 'alve comprising a casing having inlet and outlet passages and a valve seat surrounding one of said'pas- Y sages. a detachable cap'or cover closing the casing at oneend opposite to said valve seat,

a valve cooperating with said seat, an eX-'- pansible therinodynamic element arranged to act upon said valve, a holder for said thermotlynamic element, a seat in the 'asing cooperating with said holder to position the 'thernunlynamic element and valve relatively to the valve seat. and a spring acting against said holder'and thermodynam1c element-,and

reacting against said cap. being adapted t' yield when action of the thermodynamic element continues after seating ot' the valve in the same nianne' as the action occurringprior to such seating.

13. I having inlet and outlet passages and a valve seat surrounding one of said passages. a detachable cap or cover closing the casing at one end opposite to the said valve seat, a, valve cooperating with said seat. an expansible tlw rnunlynamic 'drum-Q and a holder thermo valve eomprlsin'g a. casing having a guide portion for said valve ar ranged to embrace and guide said thermodynamic clement and constructed to bear the reaction of said element when the latter prcsses against the valve, said holder. ther- "said cover when in the casing, but beingmodynamic drum and valve being made as a unit structure arranged to react against mechanically separate therefrom andremovable as a unit from the casingwhen the cover is removed.

14. A thermostatic valve .unit for steam traps comprising a holder havingopposite end. portions and longitudinal connecting side walls, one of the end portions having an opening, a valve extending through said said element being confined between the -valve 'and the opposite end portion of the I.

holder and cooperating with the valve.

15. A-thermostatic valve unit for steam traps comprising a sheet metal holder of skeleton form having spaced apart side walls andprovided with a one end and an attached cap at the other end, a valve extending through and guided by said sleeve, and'an expansible and contractible thermodynamic element confined between said valve and said capand cooperating with the 'valve, said sidewalls having longitudinal stiffening grooves formed 'in them.

In testimony whereof I have-affixed my signature.

GEORGE D. HOFFMAN.

uide'sleeve at. 

